Bentornato, R Harper Rose Win Florida Sire Stakes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Bentornato wins the FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Bentornato is 2-for-2 in Gulfstream Park's three-race FTBOA Florida Stakes Series for juveniles and remained undefeated after winning the $200,000 Affirmed Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths.
What appeared a dominant score in the stretch was not without controversy as extensive bumping in the early stages of the race appeared to be caused by the winner but an objection by Marcos Meneses on seventh-place finisher Squints yielded no change to the official order of finish. Mattingly was second, a neck ahead of Hurricane Nelson third.
Ridden by Emisael Jaramillo for trainer Jose D'Angelo and owner Leon King Stable, Bentornato went seven furlongs in 1:23.50 and paid $3.60 as the favorite.
A Valiant Minister colt, Bentornato is 4-for-4 and has never been seriously threatened in three stakes wins, including the Proud Man Stakes in open company.
Valiant Minister stands at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla., for a $5,000 fee.
What They Said
D'Angelo: "I am so happy. We were so high on him. We were prepping him, not for this race but for the next one because maybe it will be harder for him. He responded very well. He didn't look too sharp and need to have the lead.
"Going two turns (in the final leg of the series), maybe he will get slower fractions, and he will be better."
Video: FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed S. (BT)
R Harper Rose Dominates Susan Girl
Two races prior, R Harper Rose continued her dominance among Florida-bred fillies, winning the $200,000 Susan's Girl Stakes by a widening four lengths. The Khozan filly completed the seven furlongs in 1:25.35 with Edgard Zayas aboard and paid $2.60 as the odds-on choice.
R Harper Rose wins the Florida Sire Susan's Girl Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Honey Dijon was second, followed by 69-1 Fields of Green in third.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for Averill Racing and Two Eight Racing, R Harper Rose won for the third time in as many starts.
Khozan , Florida's leading sire for the past three years, stands at Journeyman Stallions in Ocala for $6,500.
Significant Scratch
Welcome Back , winner of the first leg of the Florida Stakes Series for fillies was scratched after sustaining a minor injury Oct. 20 while kicking a stall wall but is expected to compete in the final leg, the $300,000 My Dear Girl, on Dec. 2.
Home Run Harper
Two Eight Racing is the stable of former major league baseball outfielder Jayson Werth, who said: "When you play baseball, you have control over what's going on, at least a little bit. Here, you have no control."
Trainer, Jockey Quotes
Joseph: "Seven-eighths is always the trickiest distance. To go from two 5 1/2 (furlong) races to seven-eighths is more testing than even a one-turn mile. To see her get through that was good."
Zayas: "I think she was the class of the field. Last time she acted up a little bit behind the gate, and today, she did it a little bit, but she was way better. She's still learning, still green, still a baby, but she has a lot of speed, and she could be a really nice filly at least going up to seven furlongs."